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Email Announcements Received Today:

1) Appalachian Symphony Band and Trombone Choir Perform Dec. 3

The Appalachian Symphony Band’s Dec. 3 program, “Hymns, Carols, and Elves!,” features whimsical, spiritual and rousing works for brass, woodwinds and percussionists. The 8 p.m. performance will be in the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. Admission is free. Dr. Kevin Gray Richardson from the Hayes School of Music conducts along with graduate students Onsby C. Rose and Matthew Brusseau. The concert also will feature the Appalachian Trombone Choir directed by Dr. Drew C. Leslie. The program begins with “Evil Elves,” written by James Kazik and featuring the trombone choir. The composition showcases the musical versatility of the trombone through the use of mutes, extended ranges and advanced techniques to capture the antics of elves. The band will perform Fred J. Allen’s “Moravian Hymn Dance,” based on the hymn “Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silence,” and “God of Our Fathers” by Claude T. Smith and based on the original hymn written by George W. Warren. Also on the program is Ron Nelson’s “Morning Alleluias for the Winter Solstice.” The composition was inspired by conductor Frederick Fennell’s experience waking in his hotel room in Hiroshima to a brilliant sunrise. Fennell commissioned Nelson to write a composition that would celebrate the triumph of the people of Hiroshima following World War II.  The composition was premiered by the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra in 1989. The holiday season will be celebrated with a performance of the English folksong “Greensleeves” and Grainger’s “The Sussex Mummers’ Christmas Carol.” The band also will perform Johann Strauss Jr.’s fast-paced “Thunder and Lightning Polka,” known for the composer’s use of tympani and cymbals to represent the sound of thunder and lightning.

2) Holiday Hoops for the Hungry and Holiday Market

The Holiday Market is free, and will take place from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29, at the Buckeye Recreation Center. Start your holiday shopping early as you browse through over 30 vendors who will be selling their one-of-a-kind gifts and hand-crafted items including: copper/steel art work, pottery, woodwork, jewelry, yarn art and accessories, gift basket and much more! The 8th annual Beech Mountain Holiday Market has a new contest for you to help feed the hungry. This is the first year for “Holiday Hoops for the Hungry”, where your $1 donation will allow for 10 shots at the basketball hoop. Hourly prizes will be handed out, per age group, to the top scorers. Hourly winners will be entered into Grand Prize drawing of a FREE Choose and Cut Christmas Tree or $75 gift card to Fred”s General Mercantile. All proceeds go to the Hunger Coalition. Canned food donations will be accepted for St. Bernadette”s Food Bank. Santa will also be on hand for photos and to hear everyone”s wish list. Kids games and activities will be set up. Come join us for a traditional kickoff to the holiday season. Admission is free and there will be hourly door prizes.

3) Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild Meets Dec. 4

The Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 11:30 a.m. The Christmas Luncheon will be held at the Grace Lutheran Church located at 115 King St. in Boone. The organization will hold an original pin cushion contest. If you have one that you have made, bring it in and enter it into the contest. Don”t forget to bring your quilts and any old or sentimental pin cushions for show and tell. For more information, call Dolores at 295-6148.